On a day when international artiste Busta Rhymes turned up in court to support Vybz Kartel, Justice Lennox Campbell began the final stage of the embattled entertainer's murder trial before it is handed over to the jury.

Campbell, who began his summation yesterday to the 11-member jury in the trial, said self-defence or provocation did not arise for their consideration.

The judge said the two verdicts open to them were guilty or not guilty of murder.

However, the judge said that the jury would first have to determine if Clive 'Lizard' Williams was dead.

He said if they found he was not dead, that would be the end of the Crown's case.

Williams' body has not been found, but the prosecution is asking the jury to find that he is dead based on the circumstantial evidence in the case.

Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, is charged jointly with fellow entertainer Shawn Campbell, also called Shawn Storm; Kahira Jones; Shane Williams; and André St John. They have been on trial in the Home Circuit Court since November last year.

Rhymes, an American hip-hop artiste and actor with Jamaican roots, who has done collaborations with Kartel, said he would not speak with the media before the verdict was read. He revealed, however, that he would not be leaving the island before the end of the trial.

RELYING ON COMMON DESIGN

Yesterday, the judge reminded the jury that the Crown was relying on common design to prove its case and pointed out that it was a plan to commit an offence. He said it did not matter how small the part a person played in the common design, even if it were a wink or a nod. He said the essence of common design is that each accused must have the intention to commit the offence and took some part in it, whether great or small.

Campbell told the jurors they were supreme on the facts, and if they did not agree with comments he or the lawyers made, they should toss them aside. He called for them not to have any sympathy or prejudice to influence their verdict. The judge said although they heard evidence of locking of guns, they should not allow that to prejudice their minds because the men's morals were not on trial.

"Don't say Palmer is guilty of the crime because of his lyrical content," the judge said.

When Campbell referred to the voice notes presented in the case and said Kartel did not say it was not his voice, defence lawyer Tom Tavares-Finson reminded the judge that the defence was saying that the voice notes were manipulated and spliced.

Campbell will continue his summation today, and the matter is expected to be turned over to the jury next week for a verdict.

STARLIFE DANCEHALL

The Jamaican dance hall is and always has been the heart and soul of reggae music: it is nightclub, news medium, gathering place, church, theater, and schoolhouse all rolled into one. For the many aspiring artists who gravitate from country to city in a never-ending stream, the dance hall is a creative outlet and gateway to fame and glory. It is a metaphor for the enduring spirit of the Jamaican people expressed in music.

Welcome to Starlife Dancehall. We are a Dedicated small group of Jamaican culture and music lovers bringing you the latest in current trends and news, while exploring elements of our musical History. Currently we are based in London, New York, Paris, Jamaica, Texas and Florida and as such many of the events posted here will be happening in one of these places. One Love. Contact us at StarLifeDanceHall@yahoo.com